ALASKA SYNOD NEWS
IN THIS ISSUE...
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to visit Alaska in April!  - Nome & Anchorage, AK
Nome:  Joining the Spring Conference of the Seward Peninsula Cluster, she will preach and be present at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Nome April 6-9.

Anchorage:  Bishop Eaton will speak on " The ELCA Today" at Viking Hall in Anchorage, April 9 at 5-7pm. Donations toward the Seward Peninsula Lutheran Ministry Endowment ( SPLM) will be received that evening as well.

Seating is available for a maximum of 165.  For attendance, you may RSVP here no later than April 5th.
From the Bishop
On Sunday, March 12, River of Life Lutheran Church surprised Pastor Joe Alutius with a celebration of his 25th anniversary as an ELCA pastor.  Those twenty-five
years is part of the fifty-seven total that he has served as a pastor  and  Army  chaplain.   In  so  many different  settings,  with  so many different people, Pastor Alutius has reflected Christ's light and love.   Enjoy and read full detail here.
OPPORTUNITIES
Assembly and Collegium.  April 25-30, 2017 - Juneau, AK
Theme:  Come to the Table
Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
The Collegium for Rostered Leaders is April 25-27 at St. Therese Shrine in Juneau.  Our presenter is The Rev. Dr. Mark Allan Powell.
The 2017 Alaska Synod Assembly will be April 28-30 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Juneau.  The theme chosen by Shepherd of the Valley members lifts up who is around the table and who is missing.  Details here.
Seeds of Caring Conference.  April 1st.  Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anch.
The Alaska Faith Community Nursing Resource Center presents this event designed to help caregivers learn ways to stay healthy, and even thrive, in their important roles providing care.  Details here.  Registration flier here.  Registration Deadline:  March 15th.
Discovery Week 2017.  July 9-15, 2017 - Toronto Multi-Faith Centre.
Hosted by:  Encounter World Religions Centre.
Understand the unique beauty & find the common threads between religions.  Gather to explore 11 religions in 1 week through engaging classes, thoughtful discussions & expertly planned site visits.  Details, schedule, & registration here.
Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering.  July 13-16, 2017 - Minneapolis, MN
Lutheran women gather every three years, united in a common mission and purpose. Registration is open for the "All Anew" Women of the ELCA's Tenth Triennial Gathering.
Details & Registration info here.
Lutheran Men in Mission:  BOLD Gathering.  July 21-23 - Minneapolis, MN
A weekend for men to come together to learn, worship, network, & be equipped to BOLDY live out their faith!  Early Bird pricing ends March 31.  Full details and registration here.  Also, the "Master Builders Bible for Men" is at Discount Price when purchasing 10 ore more until April 14.  Order your copies here.
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday.  September 10th.
An opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve & love our neighbor. The suggested date for the 2017 dedicated day of service, "God's Work. Our Hands" is Sunday, Sept. 10. Mark your calendars today! View the video and access resources to guide your congregation's planning, promotion and more.
"Luther & The West" online course.  Northwestern University Massive Open Online.
An educational resource for this year's celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The course is taught by Christine Helmer, who is an internationally known Luther scholar, a Professor of Religious Studies & German at Northwestern University in Evanston, USA.  Certificate offered for a fee.  Free course details here.  Starts March 19.
RECRUITMENT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities in the Navy Chaplaincy
The Navy Chaplain Corps is looking for dedicated, quality pastors to serve in both Reserve & Active Duty positions to provide for the religious needs of these service members, having a ministry of presence & pastoral care, & working to ensure the free exercise of religion for all who serve our country.  Details, qualifications & contact info here.
Luther Seminary Dean of Student Life. St Paul, MN
Application period open.  To read the full job description, learn more about, & to apply for the Dean of Student Life position, please visit www.luthersem.edu/employment/positions_Luther.aspx.
Spiritual Life Minister.  AK Child & Family - Anchorage, AK
The Spiritual Life Minister is responsible for the delivery of spiritual life programming and services for children in psychiatric residential treatment. These services are voluntary, non-denominational, culturally sensitive, and age appropriate for the children.  Description here.  Application details here.
Volunteer Invitation.  Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Juneau - June 26-30
For the 6th year operating, a volunteer crew is invited to help with our summer lunch program.  We feed, play, & read with about fifty youth a day Monday-Friday.  Details here.
Volunteer & Guest Opportunities at Holden Village.  North Cascades, WA
Holden Village is seeking enthusiastic & hardworking individuals to join together in the North Cascades; in work, education, & worship.  Since its founding, Holden has relied on a tradition of volunteer service.  Operations depend on the efforts of more than a thousand volunteers annually, who generously give of their time and talents.  Read more here.
RESOURCES
How to write a Resolution
When our synod assembly meets, we provide oversight of our collective work as a synod.  Our thirty congregations, and three in development, decide together our priorities for funding, receive reports on our shared ministry and individual efforts.  We pray, we sing, we dwell in Scripture, and we consider resolutions.
These resolutions are a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted by an official body or assembled group.  See LINK for an outline of how to write a resolution or memorial for synod assembly consideration.
We ask that you email your resolution to the synod office ( elcaalaska@gmail.com) by April 10 so that our Reference and Counsel Committee has time to review it by the synod assembly.
Holy Week & Easter Congregational Communication Tools & Resources.
Posters, postcards and door hangers that can be customized with your congregation's worship times and information are now available.  Social media graphics & ELCA branding resources are also available.  Details here.  Free downloads found here.
Introducing the 2016-2017 "Our Global Church" Directory!
The annual directory highlighting ELCA missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), the International Women Leaders initiative, and the Global Ministry Projects is now available to order and to share online. We urge you to take a look and share with others!  You can order copies to be shipped to your home or church or download an electronic copy.
Enter the Bible: Dealing with Change
Luther Seminary Professor Cameron Howard discusses Ezra 3 and how it expresses grief over the loss of the old, intermingled with joy at the gaining of something new.  Listen in on Howard's discussion with faculty colleagues Eric Barreto and Kathryn Schifferdecker.
New Reformation anniversary website launches.
The new, more user-friendly ELCA500.org is the go-to information hub.  It provides tools for understanding and commemorating the Reformation in worship, learning, ecumenical conversations, personal devotion and more.  Visit site here.
Rick Steves' 'Luther and the Reformation'
This one-hour video is a wonderful resource to better understand our Lutheran roots and help us in our continued journey of understanding the gospel.  Details and video link here.
Lutherans at work, because of you: Stories of Faith in Action are here!
An annual publication of the ELCA churchwide office.  Each Alaska Synod congregation will receive up to 30 free copies of the booklet.  Details & Contact info here.
Congregation Constitution Updating.
The 2016 model constitution for congregations is located at elca.org.  Send your draft to the Alaska Synod office e-mail for our review team to review & return to you.
Annual Report Covers Are Now Available
Free formats are available - single pages, folder, cover only.  Ordering Details here.
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
Scholarships Available.  Higher Education & Continuing Education.
Central Lutheran Church & it's members, in partnership with Pacific Lutheran University, offers several scholarships for those furthering their education at PLU, another ELCA-affiliated college or university, or attending seminary. Applicants are encouraged to visit these two sites: Getting Started: Students and http://www.centluth.org/scholarships
Details for the 2017 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs are now available
The 2017 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program details here.
The 2017 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations details here,
Application Deadline: April 21, 2017
UPCOMING EVENTS
Looking Ahead
2017 
March 15, 22, 29, April 5:  Faithful Christian Response to Substance Abuse - Anchorage
March 19-22:  CALM 2017 Conference.  Lutherhaven - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
April 1:  Seeds of Caring Conference - Anchorage
April 25-27:  Spring 2017 Collegium - Juneau, AK
April 28-30:  Alaska Synod 2017 Assembly - Juneau, AK
July 9-15:  Discovery Week 2017 - Toronto Multi-Faith Centre, Canada.
July 13-16:  Tenth Triennial Women of the ELCA Gathering, All Anew - Minneapolis, MN
July 21-23:  Lutheran Men in Mission:  BOLD Gathering - Minneapolis, MN
August 7-10:  Rostered Ministers Gathering, On The Way- Together! - Atlanta, GA
September 10:  God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday. - ELCA Churchwide
Lifetree Cafe. Tuesdays, 7pm, St. Mark Lutheran Church - Anchorage
Join the March discussions.  Meeting God face to face.  Financial freedom.  An unsolved mystery.  Unlocking the mystery of music.
Chair Yoga - Get Fit Where You Sit.   Tuesdays, 11am & Thursdays, 10am.
St. Mark Lutheran Church - 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage - Ph:  (907) 276-6231
Join with others as yoga instructor Cat Kabira helps participants reconnect with their bodies every day through carefully designed yoga sessions.  Details here.
Domestic Violence Help
Click Here for contact information on crisis teams across Alaska and to find programs in your area that can help.
Click Here for resources from the ELCA website for helping nurture families dealing with Domestic Violence.
Suicide Prevention
Click Here for information and resources from the Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry.
 
Alaska Synod, ELCA | 907-272-8899
1847 W Northern Lights Blvd. #2
Anchorage, AK 99517